Tribal organizations call for Kolhan Bandh on July 31

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, July 29: Tribal organizations across Kolhan division have announced a bandh on July 31 to protest against land acquisition and transfer activities. Active workers from these organizations are conducting public outreach and holding meetings to rally support. On Monday, in Karandih, they distributed pamphlets advocating for the bandh.

Josai Mardi and Indra Hembram from the organizations accused Kolhan’s administrative officers of unconstitutional land acquisition and improper transfers. They highlighted that Kolhan, which encompasses around 11,548 square kilometres including Asia’s largest Saranda Forest, has seen significant land acquisitions for various large-scale projects including those by Tata Group, USIL, SAIL, DVC, ACC Cement, and several other industrial and infrastructural ventures. They warned that ongoing land acquisitions threaten to alter the region’s geography and demography.

Mardi and Hembram also reported that local peasants are being displaced and rendered landless, with officials allegedly violating the Land Acquisition Act 2013. They cited recent incidents, including the demolition of homes and sacred sites in Titirbila, Seraikela-Kharsawan district, on June 7. Despite protests and discussions with the administration, they claim no satisfactory explanations were provided. The situation escalated on July 11, when a police lathi-charge on a protest site injured many and resulted in the arrest of 35 individuals, including an infant. The Kolhan bandh is being organized to protest against these actions and administrative injustices.